NORTH HAWAII — Residents who want to hear candidates’ top priorities straight from the horses’ mouths can attend two non-partisan, free events later this month. The forums — one in Waikoloa Village and the other in Waimea — will offer opportunities to ask questions on pressing issues.
Sherry Bracken from LAVA 105.3 FM and Hawaii Public Radio will moderate both events.
The Waikoloa Community Leadership Council is sponsoring July’s first candidate forum from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. this Saturday at Waikoloa School. County and state legislator candidates confirmed to participate are Councilman Tim Richards and candidate Maya Parish for the nonpartisan District 9 seat; Democrats Rep. Cindy Evans and candidate David Tarnas, and Republican Thomas Belekanich for the District 7 State House of Representatives seat; and Democrats Lorraine Inouye and Heather Kimball for the District 4 State Senate seat.
The Waikoloa forum will allow candidates to share their positions on important public policy issues with equal time for opening and closing statements, followed by a Q&A with the audience and informal talk story at the candidates’ individual booths. For questions, contact Lisa Yee at 883-9377.
The following week, a primary election forum will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. July 12 at Hawaii Preparatory Academy’s Taylor Commons — the upper campus cafeteria — in Waimea. Doors will open at 4:30 p.m.
Waimea Community Association is collaborating with Waimea’s Lalamilo Farmers, Waimea Middle School, Keck Observatory, Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope, Kailapa Community Association and Waimea Hawaiian Homesteaders Association to host the event.
Candidates confirmed to participate are Councilman Tim Richards and candidate Maya Parish for the nonpartisan District 9 seat; Democrats Rep. Cindy Evans and candidate David Tarnas, and Republican Thomas Belekanich for the District 7 State House of Representatives seat; Democrats Lorraine Inouye and Heather Kimball for the District 4 State Senate seat; and Sherry Alu Campagna, a Democrat running for Hawaii’s Second Congressional District.
The forum will begin with candidates sharing their reasons for seeking public office and their top priorities for the North Hawaii district and island. Then, they will participate in a timed “speed dating” format, meeting with small groups of voters to discuss issues and answer questions, and then rotating so all attendees can meet with each candidate.
“Participants say that ‘speed dating’ lets them convey their priorities and concerns and also hear candidates’ views, what they know and how they think,” Patti Cook said, WCA president. “The format also helps candidates get to know more about the priorities and concerns of voters.”
For forum questions, call Cook at 937-2833 or go to www.Facebook.com/WaimeaCommunityAssociation.
Hawaii’s Primary Election is Aug. 11. The state’s General Election will be Nov. 6.
The published deadline to register to vote in the Primary is July 12, but the Hawaii State Legislature has authorized voter registration on election day. However, early registration is recommended, and required to receive a mailed absentee ballot.
Voter registration forms will be available at the Waimea forum and are available online at https://olvr.hawaii.gov. A Hawaii driver’s license or state ID, and a social security number is required to register. Early walk-in voting will begin July 30 at Waimea Community Center on Kawaihae Road and also in Hilo, Kailua-Kona and Ka’u. The County Clerk will send mailed absentee ballots to voters beginning about July 23.